Solar-thermal decomposition of zinc sulfate

Technical Report · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6778574· OSTI ID:6778574

Shell, P K; Ruiz, R; Yu, C M

Experimental decomposition of zinc sulfate in a rotary kiln which was heated in the White Sands Solar Furnace is described. The main findings of this research are: The zinc sulfate decomposed after 1 to 5 minutes of solar exposure when (a) the front thermocouple indicated 700/sup 0/C and the kiln was being rapidly heated with a flux of 9 to 14 kW, or (b) the front thermocouple was above 850/sup 0/C and the kiln was being maintained at temperature with a minimal flux. There is a problem with zinc sulfate agglomeration above approximately 800/sup 0/C. The agglomeration problem interfered significantly with testing, and it prevented the acquisition of quantitative data on the rate and extent of zinc sulfate decomposition. The agglomeration problem can be solved either by mechanical or chemical means - e.g., by physically breaking apart the agglomerate by means of chains or by mixing inert compounds with the zinc sulfate to prevent the particles from sticking to each other. The rotary kiln performed satisfactorily. In particular, there were no problems with the window.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6778574
• Report Number(s): UCRL-53370; ON: DE83007461
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR KILNS
FIELD TESTS
ZINC SULFATES
DECOMPOSITION
PYROLYSIS
AGGLOMERATION
HEAT FLUX
SOLAR FURNACES
WINDOWS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
EQUIPMENT
FURNACES
KILNS
OPENINGS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TESTING
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
ZINC COMPOUNDS
140702* - Solar Thermal Power Systems- Central Receiver